Gearing Up & Getting on the Record

Kicking Things Off

This is the first campaign update, so if you are receiving it, thank you for getting involved early! It has been a busy month behind the scenes. I am moving from filing paperwork to building serious campaign infrastructure.

• I’m officially on the record: My candidate profile is now live on Teach the Vote. I didn’t dodge the hard questions. I laid out my positions on school funding (transparency first), vouchers (hard "no"), and teacher retention (pay them like professionals). Read my full answers here.
• Meeting Voters & Rubbing Elbows: I was able to meet with various local Democratic Party clubs, voters, and several candidates at the state and federal level. I have done quite a bit of strategizing and research, and developed a transparency game changer for the website that will be coming soon.

In the News

The Shooting of Renee Nicole Good

The recent shooting in Minneapolis was an avoidable tragedy. While opinions on the video differ, one thing is clear: the rapid escalation and military-style tactics used by federal agents failed the public.

I cannot control Washington, but I can work to keep these tactics out of Texas:

• Repeal / Reform Mandates like SB 8: Austin shouldn't force elected Texas sheriffs to serve as deputized federal agents. Our local law enforcement must answer to their community, not Washington.
• Invest in De-escalation: Policing is a difficult job, but an "us vs. them" mindset is dangerous. We must support our officers with training that prioritizes diffusing conflict over brute force, ensuring safety for both the public and the police.

Texas A&M vs. Plato

You may have seen the news this week that Texas A&M has suspended a philosophy professor for teaching Plato’s Symposium, citing concerns over "gender ideology."

When we start banning the foundational texts of Western civilization because they might offend modern political sensibilities, we have lost the plot. As a father and a candidate, I want our students challenged, not coddled.

Education is about teaching students how to think, not what to think. Whether it’s Plato or a cyber security manual, you can't learn if you're only allowed to read the parts that are "safe." I’m monitoring this situation closely because what happens at our state universities eventually filters down to our K-12 classrooms.

What to Look Forward To

• Meeting Local Leaders: Next week, I am meeting with the Galveston County Mayors and Council Members Association. It is vital that we build strong relationships with our city leaders right out of the gate.
• Grassroots Kickoff: We are officially launching our ground game, and I need a team. We are looking for volunteers for block walking, photography, and social media support. And of course, if you can chip in a donation to fuel these efforts, now is the time.